The big physician had a rapid, forceful habit of speech. "Well, I suppose you uncorked the vitriol bottle," he said, brusquely. "No! Since you are now the fount of authority here, I thought I'd tell you that I have reserved my treachery for another time. I haven't learned enough yet to warrant real fireworks. As a matter of fact, I've been very kind to Mr. O'Neil in my story." "Let me thank you for him." "Now don't be sarcastic! I could have said a lot of nasty things, if he hadn't been so nice to me. I suppose it is the corrupting influence of his kindness." "He really will be grateful," the doctor assured her, seriously. "Newspaper publicity of the wrong sort might hurt him a great deal just now. In every big enterprise there comes a critical time, when everything depends upon one man; strong as the structure seems, he's really supporting it. You see, the whole thing rests ultimately on credit and confidence. An ill-considered word, a little unfriendly shove, and down comes the whole works. Then some financial power steps in, reorganizes the wreckage, and gets the result of all the other fellow's efforts, for nothing." "Dan tells me the affairs of the S. R. & N. are in just such a tottering condition." "Yes. We're up against it, for the time being. Our cards are on the table, and you have it in your power to do us a lot of harm." "Don't put it that way!" said Eliza, resentfully. "You and Mr. O'Neil and even Dan make it hard for me to do my duty. I won't let you rob me of my liberty. I'll get out and 'Siwash' it in a tent first." The physician laughed. "Don't mistake leaf-mold for muck, that's all we ask. O'Neil is perfectly willing to let you investigate him." "Exactly! And I could bite off his head for being so nice about it. Not that I've discovered anything against him, for I haven't-- I think he's fine--but I object to the principle of the thing." "He'll never peep, no matter what you do or say." "It makes me furious to know how superior he is. I never detested a man's virtues as I do his. Gordon is the sort I like, for he needs exposing, and expects it. Wait until I get at him and the Trust." "The Trust, too, eh?" "Of course." "Now what have the Heidlemanns done?" "It's not what they have done; it's what they're going to do. They're trying to grab Alaska." Dr. Gray shook his head impatiently, but before he could make answer Tom Slater entered and broke into the conversation by announcing: "I've spotted him, Doc. His name is Linn, and he's Gordon's hand. He's at mile 24 and fifty men are quitting from that camp." "That makes two hundred, so far," said the doctor. "He's offering a raise of fifty cents a day and transportation to Hope." Gray scowled and Eliza inquired quickly: "What's wrong, Uncle Tom?" "Don't call me 'Uncle Tom,'" Slater exclaimed, irritably; "I ain't related to you." Miss Appleton smiled at him sweetly. "I had a dear friend once--you remind me of him, he was such a splendid big man," she said.